CIDG nabs ‘elusive’ MWP for murder in Zambo Sur
A MURDER suspect who has been in hiding for nearly two years is now in jail after being captured by agents of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in his hiding place in Zamboanga del Sur, PNP-CIDG Director Brigadier General Ronald O. Lee said on Tuesday.
According to the official, the suspect used the alias “Diosdado Monterola Pantino Jr.” to easily escape detection by authorities tracking him down.
However, a tip from a concerned citizen led to the arrest of the construction worker tagged as the 19th most wanted person (MWP) in Zamboanga del Sur in Purok Cadena de Amor in Barangay Poblacion in Margosatubig municipality last Saturday.
Lee said that members of the CIDG Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Field Unit, with the assistance of the local police, arrested the suspect on the strength of a warrant of arrest for murder issued by Judge Ruben Bance of the San Miguel, Zamboanga del Sur Regional Trial Court Branch 29 on October 5, 2020.
No bail was recommended for the temporary liberty of the accused.
According to Lee, the suspect is a known member of the so-called “Balimbingan Goup” wanted for the gun-slaying of one Nojib Taiting inside the Margosatubig public market in March 2017.
Pangilan’s three brothers and co-accused in the murder case were arrested by CIDG operatives last February.
“On orders of PNP chief, General Rodolfo Azurin Jr., we have accounted for another most wanted suspect. We also assure the public that our effort to arrest wanted persons, specifically those involved in heinous crimes, will be unrelenting. We assure everybody that the long arm of the law will always catch up with criminals,” Lee said.
